Determining Impact of Digital Technology: Apple Inc. Case Study

This research report investigates the impact of digital technology on Apple Inc.'s business performance. The report begins with an introduction outlining the increasing importance of digital technology in today's competitive market and its role in enhancing business performance through innovation and improved efficiency. The research proposal defines the research question, hypothesis, and objectives, including an analysis of the background, aims, and potential challenges. The report explores the significance of digital technologies, discussing how they enhance knowledge, reduce expenses, improve performance, optimize resource utilization, and provide competitive advantages. The report aims to determine the importance of digital technology in the current scenario, identify ways to improve business performance, determine the impact of digital technology on Apple Inc.'s operations, and identify strategies for achieving a competitive advantage. The report also includes a table of contents, research methods, primary and secondary research, communication of outcomes, reflection on research methods, and alternative methodologies. The conclusion summarizes the findings, and a reference list is provided.

Research Project

Table of Contents
Title: ................................................................................................................................................3
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
P1 Research proposal which clearly define question and hypothesis with literature review. 3
P2 Research method and approaches to primary and secondary research...........................10
TASK 2..........................................................................................................................................12
P3 Conduct primary and secondary research by using appropriate methods and techniques12
TASK 3..........................................................................................................................................18
P5 Communicate research outcomes in an appropriate manner for the intended audience. 18
Covered in PPT.....................................................................................................................18
TASK 4..........................................................................................................................................18
P6 Reflection on the effectiveness of research methods and techniques.............................18
P7 Determine alternative research methodologies for the project........................................18
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................19
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................20

Title:
''To determine impact of digital technology on business performance and activities. A case study
on Apple Inc”.
INTRODUCTION
In modern world, market competition is increasing every day. So, to survive in such
competitive market place it is highly important for all companies to give core attention to their
business performance so that they can accomplish their desired goals and also can generate high
level of financial profit (Rummler and Brache, 2012). Companies can take help of digital
technologies as it helps them in innovating their current products and services so that they can
easily achieve competitive advantage within market place. By introducing some new electronic
gadgets Apple can easily expand its business and also can improve its business performance. By
taking help of technical factors, this company can improve its employee's working efficiency as
well as effectiveness. To survive in such competitive market place, it is highly important for this
company to find those possible ways by which it can improve its product's quality and also can
satisfy its customer's needs and wants. Apple is world's biggest multinational technology
company which produces various technological devices. For better growth and development it
wants to develop communication and digital solutions so that its customer will feel highly
satisfied (Sirmon and et. al., 2011). This company always manufacture some unique and
innovative products which has never been produced by anyone.
P1 Research proposal which clearly define question and hypothesis with literature review
This research report is based on digital technology and its impact on Apple Inc. in
modern world, almost all companies are focusing on technical factors so that they can provide
high quality products and services to their clients and can build strong brand image within
market place. Digital technology, provides some new equipments and methods which can be
Implemented by Apple within its work place in order to improve its business performance. By
adapting technical aspects, organisation can easily increase organisational efficiency as well as
effectiveness. Technology is most important environmental factors which always influence
positive impact on all business enterprises. As, it helps company in utilising its available
resources in most effective and systematic manner. It is highly important management
department of Apple to make sure that company is integrating with innovative methods and

equipments of technology (Christopher, 2016). By doping this, Apple can survive in competitive
market place and also can face any kind of business problems as well as challenges. With the
help of this research report, Apple can identify those possible ways by which it can achieve
competitive advantage. It is highly important for its all functional units to operate business
activities in most effective manner so that they can lead company to high level of growth and
success. This enterprise have to focus more on its research and development so that it can
produce more innovative products and can provide better solutions to its customer's complaints.
With the he help of research report this company can determine effectiveness of digital
technology by using different tools and techniques.
Background of research
While making research report, it is highly important to specify research aims so that
reason behind continuing market research can be determined. In simple words, research aim is
that aspect which helps in describing main reason that why a specific topic has been chosen and
what will be its future use (Rasula, Vuksic and Stemberger, 2012). In other words, it provides
proper guidelines to researcher in most effective and systematic manner so that he can
accomplish all desired goals and objectives. The aim of this project report is to determine impact
of digital technology on the business performance of Apple. It is a multinational technology
company, so it is highly important for it to analyse that how digital technology can prove best
for it and what will be its future impact on organisational growth as well as its development.
While working on research report, research have to go through from various problems
and challenges which creates difficulty in his research. Due to dynamic nature of market, various
conflicts can take place. It is highly important for researcher to make sure that he has backup
plans which he can use in complicated situations. Also, it helps him in completing his research in
most effective and systematic manner. Absence of contingency plan can influence negative
impact on results of research (Pollock, Wickand Jefferson, 2015). The biggest issue of research
report can be limited time period. If there will be less time period for gathering and analysing
information, then it can result in negative results. Other research issue is poor access to required
resources as well as funds. Some other issues are rise at the time of collecting data because
sometime people do not respond in positive manner. It is not an easy task to understand
individual's attitudes and behaviour.
Research Aim:

''To determine impact of digital technology on business performance and activities. A
case study on Apple Inc”.
Research objectives:
Every researcher conduct research report so that he can achieve some of his
predetermined goals and objectives. In other words, targets are those results which helps
researcher in evaluating his own work performance in most effective manner. With the help of
research objectives, researcher can easily develop some suggestions as well as recommendations.
The main purpose of setting research objectives is to divide aims in smaller groups to make
increase clarity (Prajogo and Olhager, 2012). The major objectives of this research report are
follows as under:
 To determine importance of digital technology within current situation.
 To identify possible ways by which company can improve its business performance.
 To determine impact of digital technology on operations of Apple Inc.
 To determine those ways which can be used by Apple for improving its business
performance and for achieving competitive advantage within market place.
Research questions:
The main objective of this research project is to determine efficiency and effectiveness of
digital technology in improving business performance of Apple Inc. in modern world, almost all
companies are attracting towards digitalisation so that they can operate their organisational
activities and practices in appropriate manner. Research questions is mots important part of
research report, they based on objectives which helps in identifying best way to carry out work
(Brewster and Hegewisch, 2017). Also, they provides right direction to researcher so that he ca
get right direction and also can get desired results. The most important questions of this research
report are follows as under:
 What is the importance of digital technology in current business scenario?
 What are the most effective components which can assist company in improving its
business performance?
 Understand the impact of digital technology on organisational performance of Apple?
 Analyse those methods which can be used by Apple for improving its business
performance to achieving competitive advantage within market place?
Significance of digital technologies in current business situation

It is that section of research which gets high importance. It helps researcher in carrying
out research activities as per the requirements. Also, it helps researcher in taking right actions
which are required for carrying out research in systematic manner. For making research work
more authenticate, he can take help of various sources which will help him in collecting
important information. This section is all about successful authors who have given important
statement on specific topics which can be used in carrying out research. This part will help in
evaluating that how digital technology influence impact on company and which are the possible
ways by which organisation can improve its business performance. The main objective of this
research report is to determine importance of digitalisation in improving business performance
of Apple Inc.
In modern world, all people, companies and educational institutes takes help of digital
technology so that they can operate their daily activities as well as practices in most effective and
systematic manner. Digitalisation has become most important part of everyone' life. Just like
this, business organisations are also influenced by technical factors. As, they helps company in
operating its different functions in appropriate manner. Enterprises of this era are directly and
indirectly have connection with digital aspects. It is highly important for all business mangers to
take help of digitalisation so that they can improve their organisational performance and also can
face any kind of business problem or challenge. Technical aspects provide some unique methods,
Concepts and equipments to company which helps it in accomplishing its desired goals and
objectives. As per Prajogo and Olhager (2012), digital technology is most important concept
which can help company in its organisational growth and development. It helps in making sure
that all individuals have own skills and abilities, and they can use them along with digitalisation
for getting better results. In simple words, integration of individual skills and technology can
help company in enhancing its profitability as well as productivity. Also, it helps in boosting
market shares of business enterprise. There are different ways by which digital technology can
influence impact on business performance and these are follows as under:
Enhancing knowledge: With the help of digitalisation, employees can improve their
working efficiency as well as effectiveness which will assist them in accomplishing business
goals and objectives in most effective and systematic manner. If individuals will integrate their
skills and abilities with technology then they can produce most innovative and unique products
which can provide high satisfaction to customers. digital technologies enhance knowledge

because it provides informations at any point of times. Informations regarding weather report,
current news, maps and much more can be access through digital technologies and Apple
company is using digital technology for giving best experience to its customers that helps to get
positive feedbacks from them.
Reducing expenses: it helps in reducing cost and expenses because it provides several
facilities like Personal Information Management, Wireless Internet Services, Online Banking
facility, Digital Camera with Photoshop, Personal Organizer and much more by using this
technology as well as new digital gadgets so Apple provides iPhone, iPad, iPod and many more.
Improving performance: Apple company use digital technologies to improve its work
efficiency or work productivity as to analysis of market trends as well as market environment to
select best alternatives digital solutions for making work easy. Best part of technology is
smartphones that any person can prepare notes, review their various files and contacts on the
phone which make work easy and simple and it helps to improve performance of individuals or
employees.
Effective utilisations of resources: According to (Moser, 2012), for any company,
digital techniques help to optimize available resources effectively as Apple company utilise this
technology to generate, stores and processes of data to develop the business its plan and it is also
helpful to customers to use the resources for various purpose to satisfy their needs and desires.
Company helps the users to be connect with digitalisations or digital technologies.
Provides competitive advantages: it helps to provide competitive advantages by
adopting new ideas as well as creating innovations things to differentiate products with
competitors. And technologies also dynamic or flexible in nature because it change according
atmosphere so it is difficult to survive in the market. Apple company believes in providing best
technology as well as innovative and featured products to the customers that helps in achieving
competitive advantages in the market. Digital technology provides quality advantage, editing
advantage and portable advantage which helpful to compete the competitors and meet the
challenges.
Ways by which company can boost business performance
According to Pollock (2015), there are huge number of problems or issues influence
negative impact on organisational profitability as well as productivity. To operate business
activities and practices in appropriate manner, it is highly important for company to identify all

those factors which can affect its organisational functions. By determining all issues and
problems, organisation can easily set their goals and objectives on the basis of them.
Organisation can also take help of various tools, techniques, methods, strategies and procedures
to increase organisational efficiency, effectiveness and its current market performance. By
operating organisational functions according to external factors, Apple can easily achieve its
competitive advantage and also can survive in market place for long time period (Ford, 2014).
Apple Inc. can take help of various ways by which it can improve or enhance its business
performance and these are follows as under:
 Introducing new concepts and methods: By making continuous changes in current tools
and techniques or by introducing some new techniques within work place, company can
easily enhance its efficiency as well as effectiveness. By installing technical aspects
within workplace, Apple Inc. can get ready for future business problems. Well
determined strategies and procedure can help this company in operating its organisational
functions in most appropriate manner which will help in producing high quality products
and services.
 Providing training and development programs: Apple should provide training and
development plans to those employees employees which are engaged in IT department so
that they can enhance their technical knowledge, by engaging in trainings and
development program workers can improve their current skills and abilities, and also can
help company in producing high quality products and services which can attract huge
number of customers.
 Integrating individual's skills and digital technology: For better growth and development,
company should integrate its human resources with digital technology so that they can
help organisation in enhancing organisational profitability as well as productivity.
Impact of digital technology on Apple Inc. company
To improve market position, it is highly important for company to give core attention to
its own structure. There are various factors which influence impact on organisation growth and
development. As per Moser (2012), digital technology helps business enterprise by providing it
new concepts and methods by which it can survive in market place for long time period. In
present scenario, almost all companies are focusing on digitalisation so that they can run
business activities and practices that manner which will provide high financial profit to company.

Digitalisation have completely changed business industry. It influence huge positive impact on
organisation and its future growth (Kolb, 2014). Digital technology plays significant role in
Apple Inc. it provides various benefits to this company which are follows as under:
 Digitalisation helps Apple in enhancing efficiency and effectiveness of its workplace as
well as its work force.
 With the help of digital technology, Apple introduce most unique and innovative
products within market place. This organisation introduce a new product every year.
 Also, digitalisation helps organisation in improving its production process so that it can
reduce its operational cost and can produce maximum product on low cost.
 By taking help of digital technology, company can improve current skills and abilities of
its workers which will help them in producing high quality products.
Hence, these are some major impacts of digitalisation which influence positive impact on
Apple and also help it in enhancing its organisational growth and development.
Different ways by which Apple can improve its current business performance to achieve
competitive advantage within market place
The most important objective of Apple is to satisfy its customer by providing them high
quality products and services. In present time, this company is facing various problems by
continuous customer's complaints. To resolve this type of problem it requires expert analysis so
that it can resolve customer's queries and complaints, and also can improve business performance
(Shultz and Adams, 2011). There are some ways by which Apple can remove all these problems
and these are follows as under:
 By providing high quality products and services, Apple can easily satisfy its customer.
This company have established more than 20,000 stores in all over the world so that it
can make connection with customer and also can resolve their problems.
 By optimum utilisation of available resources, Apple can maximise its financial profit
and also can minimise its operational cost.
 The biggest reason behind business failure is grievances, by resolving and handling
grievances Apple can easily lead to high level of success and growth.
P2 Research method and approaches to primary and secondary research
This part of research project is considered as most important concept, as involves various
tools and techniques which helps in completing research work. In simple words, researcher can

take helps of various methods and techniques which he can apply in his research and can get
desired results. Generally, research methodology is related top use different types of methods
and techniques for gaining better results in better manner.
Research onion -
Research onion presents the stages that should cover in formulating investigating
strategy. Each layer of research onion describe in described steps of research procedure
therefore, it will supply correct regression where research methodology can be designed. At first
stage, the research philosophies can be defined in which they are developing starting point for
making research approach for second stage. In the third step, research strategy is getting and
there are four layer which consider the time horizon in which fifth one encompasses along with
data collection. Moreover, the major advantages of research onion can be generated from
different stages in which data collection method should be examined.
Research philosophy -
It is that part of research which helps in collecting required data via different sources.
This concept is categorised into two parts which are inter-primitivism and positivism. Research
philosophy is considered as basic concept of research report. In this research interpretivism has
been used to deal with all intangible problems. This methods will help investigator in completing
his project in mos effective as well as in systematic manner which will increase his knowledge
about digital technology and its impact on business performance of Apple (McGrath, 2012).
Research approach -
It is an additional concept which provides help in carrying out research project in
appropriate manner. It helps researcher in getting desired outcomes. Mainly, there are two types
of approaches which are inductive and deductive. These concepts help in completing research
report as per the requirements. In this report, both approaches has been used by researcher which
provides him accurate knowledge about his research topic. Investigator should use deductive
approach as per the requirement of collected information and inductive concept according to the
topic of study. Inductive concept gives importance to facts and figures which has been gathered
while collecting data.
Quantitative and Qualitative approach –
The approach is based on qualitative and quantitative data which involves different
statistical standards for maintaining the validity and reliability. This is used for examining large

amount of social phenomena and this can be effectively used for each condition in which large
number of respondents are available. On the other hand, qualitative approach can be frame for
determining how respondent interpret their personal reality. This will assist in gathering
qualitative data and information that are based on actual data and information.
Research strategy -
In this investigator discussion, which style need to be use for collecting or assessing
accurate data and information such as grounded theory, experiment survey, survey, action
investigation and many more. In the experimental design are very difficult and scientific in
nature that will be complex for others to replicate investigation. When a case study design and
prepare, a study are conduct upon one or more people which can be used in real life cases.
Moreover, survey can help in gathering and collecting high range of data to answer such as what,
who, how, where and when of research topic. In the above strategy, examination is one of the
best method which assist in collecting huge facts and figures in given time period.
Choices -
This will framing the way in which they are using qualitative and quantitative method
that main purpose is research. In this, it can be assured that both methods are ideal for used and
other is fine. There are three methods and tools where first one is mono method which comprise
to using investigating approach while study. Other is mixed method which states to use both
techniques such as qualitative and quantitative for entire examination. Last is multi method
approach where research is categorised into isolated segments along with each developing a
particular data.
Time horizon -
This is the framework where project will be completed and this can be determine in two
types of horizon that includes cross sectional and longitudinal. Along with this, cross sectional
approach is based on using both qualitative and quantitative investigation that will assist
investigator for analysing their attitude or behaviour towards large group of people. The data has
been collecting at specific point. On the other side, longitudinal method define the data collection
which are increasing on particular period and it will control over variables that need to be
studied.
Data collection and analysis -

It is the last layer of research onion which is fully based on analysing and interpret the
whole data and information that has been gather from different sources or methods in better
manner. In this part, investigator can used questionnaire and sample group for interpreting whole
information. Researcher need to determine strategies, philosophies stances, time frame and
choices which help in achieving with valid outcomes.
TASK 2
P3 Conduct primary and secondary research by using appropriate methods and techniques
There are two main method of research that includes primary and secondary tool for
enable to reach at effective conclusions. Primary data – This type of data is useful for gathering appropriate data and information.
In this, primary research is conducted which major aim is to highlighting the specific
investigation issue and frame a meaningful judgement effectively. In addition to this,
primary method of data collection is very costly so they can analyse each factor which
are required to manpower and investment. It includes surveys, questionnaire,
observations, focus groups, case studies, etc.
 Secondary data – This will implies for getting appropriate data and information which
has different purpose. This type of data can not associated with current investigation
issues and problems in proper manner. Along with this, secondary data is easily available
for collecting accurate data by using websites, journals, books, articles and so more.
From the above determination, it is considered as most important part of research report.
In this, all collected information is get identified and analysed by researcher. For collecting
important information he can take help of questionnaire. On the basis of questionnaire some
themes are get prepared by researcher, which helps in gathering accurate information about a
specific topic.
QUESTIONNAIRE
Q.1 Digitalisation influence impact on company or not? Frequency
 Yes 42
 No 8
Q.2 What are the main inventions of technology which influence Frequency